THE SCHOOL AND CIVIC 

LEAGUE BULLSTI2J. 










A ^ . '/-'.if '.:■ 






The School and 
Civic Leasrue Bulletin 




How to Organize a League 



Issued by Department of Public Instruction, J. D. Kggleston 
State Superintendent and Co-operative Education Associa- 
tion of Virginia, Mrs. B. B. Munford, President : ; : ; 



V 






The Co-operative Education Bssoeiation of Virginia. 



OFFICERS 

Mrs. B. B. Munford President 

Gov. Wm. Hodges Mann 1st Vice-President 

J. Stewart Bryan 2nd Vice-President 

J. P. McCoNNELL 3rd Vice-President 

Henry W. Anderson Treasurer 

J. H. Binford ......... ...... Executive Secretary 

State Capitol, Richmond, Va. 
Mrs. L. R. Dashiell Director Citizens League 

State Capitol, Richmond, Va. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

J. D. Eggleston^ Chairman 
Murray Boocock Bruce R. Payne 

E. A. Alderman Chas. G. Maphfs 

S. v. Fletcher Jackson Davis 

H, B. Frissell Jas. H. Dooley 

George H. Denny F. W- Darling 

Rosew^ell Page 



DEPARTMENTS 

PubJc Health Dr. Allen "W. Freeman 

Press T. Sf Settle 

Demonstration Farms .•♦ • ' T, O. Sandy 

Libraries •.•*•' G. Carrington Moscley 

Taxation Bruce R. Payne 

Good Roads P. St. Julien 'Wilson 

Industrial Work Miss E. G. Agnew 

Field Work Robert Frazer 

Legislation . , ,,-••. Rosewell Page 



WHY A LEAGUE? 

'^ "The neglected school" is a familiar expression. The man in 
the commiinit}^ has time for lodge, politics, and business, in fact 
for everything except the school. In some way he feels that this 
institution can get along without his lielp and sympathy. And the 
mother, while interested in the education of her children, rather 
dreads to visit the school. This state of affairs should not exist. 
The school w^ill never occupy the dignity in the community that 
it deserves, until all people take a lively interest in its welfare. 
There are more than four hundred school and civic leagues in 
Virginia. They are doing a great work. The citizens who com- 
pose these leagues work in conjunction with teachers and school 
officials and as a result of their efforts schools are beautified, 
libraries are secured, school terms are lengthened, and a greater 
interest in education is spread abroad in the community. 

One of the greatest benefits derived from a league is the good 
that comes to the members themselves. The regular monthly or 
semi-monthly meetings bring the people of the community to- 
gether. There is needed everywhere, but especially in town and 
country, the group idea. People live too much to themselves, give 
too little heed to the needs of school and community. What 
more desirable than for the people of a community to come to- 
gether at stated times in their school building for the purpose of 
enjoying social intercourse, encouraging the teachers in the work 
and planning for the improvement of school and community? 

ORGANIZATION. 

The First Meeting. 

The first step is, of course, to gather a few people, interest 
them by setting forth the fact that the school should be the cen- 
ter of social, civic, and literary interests in the conmiunity; 
further, show what the school owes to the community and par- 
ticularly what the community owes to the school. Invite and be- 
speak the co-operation of every citizen in the effort to bring the 
school into close relationship with the home and the community. 

This meeting should be held in the school. If the teacher is 
the prime mover, let her get out a crowd by having Patron's Day, 
with recitations and songs by the pupils and an exhibit of school 



work if practicable. By all means have present the ministers of 
the community and the Division Superintendent. 

At this meeting organize a league, no matter how small the 
gathering may be. Appoint a secretary for that particular meet- 
ing, then elect a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. 
Adopt, with such changes as are seen fit, the following constitution 
and by-laws : 

Suggested Constitution for the Citizens League or 



• Article I 

This league shall be called the School and Civic League of 

and shall form a branch of the 

Virginia Co-operative Education Association. 

Article II 

The object of this league shall be to aid in advancing the so- 
cial, civic and school interests of this community. 

Article III 

(a) Any person interested in the objects of the league may be- 
come a member. 

(b) Each member shall be entitled to vote at all meetings of 
the league. 

Article IV 

The officers of the league shall be a president, a vice-presi- 
dent, a vice-president, a secretary, and treasurer, and such others 
as the league may deem advisable. Five members shall constitute 
a quorum. 

Article V 

The general management of the league shall be vested in an 
executive committee to consist of the officers and three members, to 
be elected at its annual meeting. 

Article VI 

The league shall hold an annual meeting in the month of 
May and such other meetings as it may deem necessary. Special 



meetings may be called by the president or on written request of 
three members. 

Article VII 

In order that this league may be in touch with the general 
work for the improvement of educational conditions throughout 
the State, it shall enroll 'itself with the Director of Citizens' 
Leagues of the Co-operative Education Association of Virginia 
and send a formal report of its progress in November and May 
of each year. 

Article VIII 

This constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the 
members present at any annual meeting. 

THE SECOND MEETING. 

Before the adjournment of the preliminary meeting the time 
and place for the next meeting should be determined upon; and 
it is desirable that this meeting be held as soon as possible. At 
the second meeting a committee on Constitution and By-Laws (ap- 
pointed at first meeting) should make a written report. In the 
adoption of this constitution be sure to give the league an ap- 
propriate and distinctive name, to distinguish it from other leagues 
in the county. In the by-laws such matters as the amount of 
dues to be paid, the time for regular meetings, and the number 
and character of league committees should be determined. All 
leagues should have the following committees: Membership, 
Grounds and Buildings, Lectures and Entertainments , Sanita- 
tion, Good Roads, and Boj^s and Girls Agricultural and Domestic 
Science Work, Library and School-visiting. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR REGULAR MEETINGS. 

Meetings should be held at least once a month. Some of the 
most successful leagues in the State hold two meetings a month. 
However small the attendance a regular order of business should 
be followed, such as, 

1. Call to order by President, with song, scripture read- 
ing or other appropriate exercises. 
2. Roll call of members with collection of dues. 



3. Minutes of last meeting. 

4. Treasurer's report. 

5. Eeport of Committees. 

6. Unfinished business. 

7. New business. 

8. Address, or some other form of entertainment. 

9. Report of Entertainment Committee as to the program 

for next meeting. 
10. Adjournment with appropriate exercises. 
Item 8 in the above order of business is very important. At 
each regular meeting there should be an address on some topic 
of interest, or there should be recitations and music by the pupils 
of the school. People will naturally lose interest unless the meet- 
ings are interesting, and one of the principal duties of league 
officers is to secure speakers and otherwise arrange for instructive 
and interesting features for the regular meetings. As often as 
possible provide for light refreshments at the close of each meeting, 

THE COMMITTEES. 

The Membership Comtnittee should seek at all times to secure 
new members for the league. This committee might also serve in 
the capacity of a School-Visiting Committee. 

The Corrymittee on Grounds and Buildings has a very impor- 
tant work. In Virginia we must convert our unsightly school 
buildings and grounds into places of beauty. The rooms must 
be adorned with pictures, while the grounds need walk-ways, green 
lawns, and shade trees. Then again the building needs to be kept 
in repair and the class rooms need comfortable desks, window 
shades, maps, and many other things too numerous to mention. 
In making these improvements the Grounds and Building Com- 
mittee should seek the help of the school trustees. 

The Library Cdmrmttee should secure a library for the school 
along with a few select periodicals and magazines. Write to the 
State Library for information concerning traveling libraries. 
Write to the Department of Education for the pamphlet telling 
how a league may by raising $15 secure a $40 library. After a 
library is secured this committee should see that new books are 
purchased from time to time. 

The Entertainment Committee should provide for amateur 
plays and other entertainments whereby money may be raised to 
carry on the work of the league. This committee should also 



provide several free lectures during the year. The Co-operative 
Education Association publishes a pamphlet giving the names of 
speakers who may be secured. 

The C ommittee on Health should see to it that everything 
about the school is in a sanitary condition. Among the important 
things that might be mentioned are: a jacketed stove with some 
means of ventilation, oil for the floors to keep the dust down, 
water coolers and window shades, and two good closets. The 
State Department of Health will gladly give full information on 
all the above subjects. Besides the work outlined above, this 
committee should distribute health bulletins, obtained from the 
State Health Department, throughout the community and should 
have at least one public lecture on health each session. 

The Committee on Good Roads should seek to improve the 
roads leading up to the school, and should also hold at least one 
Good Roads meeting in the school each j^ear. 

The Committee on. Boys'' Agricidtural and Girls'^ Domestic 
Science Work should seek to interest the boys of the school in the 
farm demonstration work carried on by the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, and by the State of Virgiuia, under the direc- 
tion of T. O. Sandy, of Burkeville. Va.. and in the Girls' Tomato 
Club work being done by Miss Ella Agnew, of Burkeville. Va. 
This committee should also seek to interest the boys and girls 
of their school in competing in the county fair, and should, Avhen 
circumstances justify it, seek to have cooking and sewing intro- 
duced into the school. 

The president of the league is ex-officio a member of each of 
these committees and should advise with the several chairmen, 
from time to time, as to what work should be undertaken. 

OTHER SUGGESTIONS. 

Annual Meeting. 

The annual meeting of the league should not be neglected. 
For several reasons it is deemed advisable to hold this meeting in 
May, or at least near the close of the school term. Written re- 
ports should be submitted by the president, setting forth what 
the league has accomplished during the year and by the treasurer, 
showing the financial condition of the league. Copies of these 
reports, along with the names and addresses of the newly elected 
officers should be sent to the office of the Co-operative Education 



8 

Association. At this annual meeting there should be an address 
by some invited speaker. 

DELEGATE TO ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFEKENCE. 

Each league should elect one or more delegates to attend the 
yearly educational conference, in order to represent the league at 
the general meeting of the Co-operative Education Association. 
These delegates should carry a report from the league they repre- 
sent. Many leagues appoint one of the teachers to represent them 
at the conference. The wiser course is to appoint some officer or 
member of the league, other than a teacher. The expenses of the 
delegate should be borne in whole or in part by the league. 

CLEAN-UP DAY. 

It is desired by the Co-operative Education Association 
that each school in the State hold a Clean-LTp Day once a year, at 
which time certain definite things be done to beautify the school 
grounds and rooms. At this time shade trees should be planted, 
the grounds cleaned up, a few framed pictures hung up on the 
school walls and other work of a similar character undertaken. 
We give two dates for Clean-Up Day — the third Friday in October 
and Washington's Birthday. It is advisable to commence this 
work early in the session for many reasons, October is a fine 
month for plowing, grading, and though rather late, grass seed 
sown at this time sometimes do well. The best time for the plant- 
ing of trees is about Washington's Birthday, hence the latter date. 
Why not observe l^otb days'^ 

IMPORTANT. 

The Co-operative Education Association in order to help the 
local leagues in their work as much as possible, desires to keep an 
accurate list of the officers of all leagues together with their post- 
offices. Therefore^ it is earnestly requested that the organization 
of a league or any change in the list of officers be reported at once 
to Mrs. L. R. Dashiell, Director of Leagues, Department of Public 
Instruction, Richmond, Va. It is fuithermore urged that each 
league send to the general office in May and Novemher of each year 
a written report^ showing meiThbership ^ amount of money raised 
and the general ivorh aGconvplished. J. H. Binford, Secretary of 
the Co-operative Education Association, and Mrs. L. R. Dashiell, 



Director of Leagues, devote a large part of their time to field work 
and will gladly visit leagues for the purpose of arousing interest 
in the work. 

WHAT THE LEAGUES ARE DOING. 

The Hamilton High School League, organized by Supt. C. W. 
Dickinson, Jr., in October, 1910, has had a very successful year. Eev. 
J. W. Gee is president, under whose wise leadership more than 
six hundred dollars has been raised and expended on the new 
school building. The league has a membership of about eighty 
and has held regular meetings each month. The dues consist of 
five cents per m,onth. The school lot is a seven-acre tract. At 
the request of the league. Dr. S. W. Fletcher, of Blacksburg, fur- 
nished a plan showing how the grounds should be beautified. 
Trees have been planted, walks and driveways laid off, a first 
class baseball diamond has been built, and sanitary out-buildings 
erected. The league has purchased a piano, desks for the assembly 
hall, and a large bell. 

For the purpose of securing funds and to carry out these 
improvements, the league, in addition to other entertainments, 
held a bazaar, from which was realized nearly three hundred 
dollars. One of the most valuable features of the league work 
was a series of free public lectures given by prominent educators 
and State officials. 

DEEP RUN SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE. 

June 7, 1911. 

Deep Run School Improvement League was organized April 
5, 1911, by Mrs. L. R. Dashiell wdth 13 members. It now h-as an 
enrollment of 100, with the following officers and committees: 

President, Mr. C. A. Bowles, 

Vice-President, Mrs. W. S. Jones, 

Secretary, Miss Mamie DuVal. 

Treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Briggs. 

Grounds and Building, School Visiting, Entertainment, 
Library, and Membership Committees. 

The league meetings are held regularly every two weeks and 
several times a called meeting has been necessary. 

A petition for a consolidated school gotten up by league mem- 
bers, resulted in an appropriation for the Short Pump High 
School. 



10 

Application for a traveling library has been sent to the State 
Librarian. 

The Entertainment Committee deserves special mention for 
the financial help and interest added to the league meetings. They 
have given two minstrel shows and thus raised the receipts of the 
league to $73. 

Stage curtains, lamps, oil, &c., for use in entertainments and 
league meetings and a Steinway Grand Piano have been bought 
by the league, also a piano cover. 

The Citizens' League of Amelia, organized in October, 1910, 
by Mr. J. D. Harris, has a membership of seventy-five and has 
raised $600 during the session, has also put a wire fence around the 
school grounds at a cost of $160. The league has purchased a 
piano and bought for the assembly hall handsomely framed pic- 
tures of Washington, Lee, Jackson, and others. The league has 
held seven regular meetings, at all of which an interesting pro- 
gram has been carried out, and addresses made by prominent 
people. 

The Junior League, organized by this league, has purchased 
a picture framing outfit, sold pictures at cost and have thus caused 
400 well framed pictures to be placed in the homes of that sec- 
tion. The membership of the Junior League consists of the 
pupils of the High School. 

The secretary of the Rodden High School Junior League, 
organized by Mr. J. H. Binford, will write you a report of what 
the school has done and how our school is progressing. 

The first work the league took up was to improve the school 
grounds. Several trees have been planted, and the baseball 
diamond plowed up and laid off. Basket ball and tennis courts 
were also made. Baseball, basket ball and tennis outfits have 
been purchased. 

The next improvement work taken up was in the school build- 
ing. The floors have been oiled to keep the dust down, and this 
was a wonderful improvement. Three very pretty pictures have 
been purchased for the walls, one of George Washington, one of 
Robert E. Lee, one of the Windmill, and one of the University 
of Virginia. The latter was given to the school by the University. 

There is no senior league in our community, but we have 
tlic junior league, and it is both a literary society and an im- 
provement league. The league meets twice a month and very 



11 

interesting programs are carried out at each meeting. The pro- 
grams consist of essays, debates, declamations and recitations. 

There have been seven meetings during the session. Some of 
the subjects discussed were: Debate — Resolved, That Lee was a 
greater general than Jackson. Essay— Contrast between city life. 
Debate — Resolved, That the saloon keeper is greater in the com- 
mission of crimes, than he who commits the crime while under 
the influence of drink. Debate— Resolved, That women should 
vote. Besides the above subjects many other interesting ones were 
discussed thoroughly. 

We have had two entertainments so far and are now making 
preparations for another. Both of these entertainments proved 
to be a success. From the first we realized $37.80, and from the 
second $22.67, making a total of $60.47. All this money has been 
used by the league in improvement work. 

The league has accomplished great work this year, and we 
feel that it will accomplish even greater next year. We have all 
been benefited in more than one way by the league. 

(Signed), Kate Powell, 

Secretary. . 

REPORT OF DRIVER CITIZENS' LEAGUE. 
June, 1911. 

The league, during the past year, has been especially engaged 
in the work of improving school conditions and in adding a new 
equipment for the school for the laboratory wark. 

The funds raised, consisting of dues and a special amount, 
the result of the work of the Entertainment Committee, amounts 
to $184.88. This money has been utilized to defray part of the 
cost of installing a system of running water for the school, and 
have purchased a new apparatus for work in Biology and a 
laboratory. 

The general scope of the work of the Association has been 
the improvement of school conditions, all of the members working 
toward that end. During the coming year the plan will be 
changed. Instead of holding a single general monthly meeting, 
the body will be divided into three groups: A farmer's meeting, 
a woman's meeting, and a young people's meeting. Each group 
will consider separately those topics most deeply interesting to 
its own members. 



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The government demonstrator for Nansemond county, who 
is also Director of Agriculture, will have charge of the demonstra- 
tion work, and the principal of the school will have charge of the 
discussions in the farmers' meeting. 

Under the leadership of the president of the league, and of 
the teacher of domestic science and art in the Driver Agricultural 
High School, the woman's meeting plan to hold its session in the 
form of round table discussions, of problems in home economics, 
domestic science and art, and useful manual training work. 

For the younger people of the neighborhood, and for the 
older high school pupils, a literary society, with a membership of 
40 is organized. 

The general business of the league does include still the im- 
provement of school conditions and the continuation of the present 
intense interest .in educational matters of the members of the 
league. The Association has one hundred and twenty-two mem- 
bers. 

Mr. Eeps Williamson, Pres., 
Miss Lillie Everett, Sect. 

P. S. In connection with the school board, tlie league will 
undertake the erection of an $8,000 school house and a $1,500 barn. 



